The number one concern when moms contact me for newborn photos is '“getting them done in the first 2 weeks”. This idea that we must get babies photographed within the first 7-10 days has been beaten into us and the average mom doesn’t really seem to know the reason for that window. Allow me to explain and then turn this advice on it’s ever lovin’ head.

THE 7-10 DAY WINDOW

This is the the general time frame for babies being super sleepy, malleable and poseable. Newborn photographers who are wrapping babies and posing them on a bean bag or with props like to get babies into the studio within 7-10 days (or some say 7-14) so that they are easier to soothe and pose. But this isn’t a hard fast rule. Every baby is different, but this window usually offers the best chance for the photographer of getting the baby settled, posed, and captured in the shortest amount of time possible (usually around 4 hours).

IT DOESN’T APPLY TO LIFESTYLE

As a lifestyle newborn photographer, none of that applies. While I do make a point to calm baby and capture him alone, I am not concerned with getting your baby to sleep or contorting their his little body into the froggy pose. I mostly want to capture your LIFE with this new little human, whatever that looks like. My sessions are done in the comfort of your own home and take about an hour…2 max if we just have a super fussy baby.

SO WHEN SHOULD YOU SCHEDULE YOUR LIFESTYLE NEWBORN SESSION?

It’s really up to you! If you are booking prior to delivery, and your spouse has limited paternity leave, I suggest we pencil you in for a day the week after your due date. This is flexible and we’ll the session date around as necessary to accommodate you as best we can. That includes pushing it back if you are just not up photos right after delivery or baby needs some extra TLC from his pediatrician. After my c-section, I needed time before my son’s newborn session. He was a month old before I finally felt recovered enough to enjoy it. And you know what? It was perfection!

WHAT IF MY BABY IS ALREADY HERE?

If your baby is already here, you definitely shouldn’t skip a newborn session just because you think you’ve waited too long. My absolute favorite time for a newborn lifestyle session is actually about 5-6 weeks. At this point baby is usually very alert and engaged and will really be starting to show personality, while still looking very much like a newborn. Breastfeeding is also typically well established, baby is not wanting to cluster feed as much, and they are usually calm and content for the majority of the session.

IS THREE MONTHS TOO LATE?

I’m so glad you asked! Let’s take a look at Carter’s session. Or continue to, because all of the images in this blog post are of Carter and were taken when he was THREE MONTHS OLD! Megan had traditionally posed newborn photos done, but Carter had struggled to gain weight in those early weeks, and seeing how thin and frail he appeared in his pictures made her sad. She called me to scheduled another session when he was 3 months old, looking plump and healthy. It was also important to her to celebrate her own (hard won) breastfeeding success that helped get him there.

It is so important to celebrate life and milestones with a newborn whenever you can. Don’t ever feel like you’ve missed your chance to capture this special time. Call me and let’s get it done, because it’s never too late!

Birth Photography is probably the most incredible gift you can give yourself as an expectant mother. There is such freedom for both you and your partner to really focus on your birth experience without having to remember to capture it. Then, you get to live it all again from a totally different perspective. You get to see the love, support, excitement, and power of your work in the birth space in a way that really completes the story. You get to know that you will never forget the little details like the room number or the names of your favorite nurses. Best of all, you get to keep it forever and show your babies when you tell the story of their birth.

Naturally, most moms inquiring about birth photography are concerned about the possibility of the photographer NOT making it for the birth. Personally, I always want to be 100% REAL with my clients and make sure they are fully aware before booking that there is nothing that anyone can do to completely eliminate that risk. The majority of the time things work out perfectly, but the ever pertinent questions is always…what happens when they don’t?

To help you fully understand and prepare to evaluate your options, I want to go over with you some of the reasons that a photographer might have to miss a birth, the measures I take to mitigate risk, and what would actually happen if I were to miss your birth. This is a long one, but the information in important, so hang with me.

WHY THE RISK?

To put in quite simply, birth is unpredictable and largely uncontrollable. We all know this, but when you really think about it, the only two people you can be 100% certain will be present for your birth is (a) you and (b) your baby. Your doctor might not make it, your spouse or partner might not make it, heck…YOU might not even make it to your preferred birth space. The difference is, none of those things are really going to significantly change the outcome. There will (nearly) always be somewhere you can deliver with someone available to step in if your doctor doesn’t make it, and your spouse/partner can Facetime if they don’t make it. But birth photography? Yikes! That’s an art form that not just anyone can provide and it has to be done in person. So let’s talk about the reasons that I, or any other photographer, might not be able to make it.

Illness. When you’re really sick, you call into work and take the day off, right? Employers expect this and often provide time off to be used as needed for personal illness. They don’t want you coming in sick, spreading your germs, and getting everyone else in the office sick…Well that goes double for anyone who’s work involves babies. If I go in to work a birth sick I am putting your baby at risk. Keeping you and your baby healthy will always be priority numero uno.

Emergency. Much like illness, life sometimes gets in the way of your ability to report to work. Sick family members, accidents, death in the family…There are always unexpected things that can demand our immediate attention that can throw a wrench into our very best laid plans. This also includes situations where your medical provider(s) may restrict photography or even deny my presence for all or a portion of your birth for the sake of your own safety or the safety of other patients.

Act of God. This is actually a clause in almost every service contract ever. Dangerous weather conditions, freak accidents, natural disasters, a state of war…anything that any other business might shut down for in deference to the safety and well being of their employees is something that could potentially prevent me from attending your birth.

Inadequate Communication. It is totally up to you to advise me as soon as you believe you are in labor and provide regular updates on your progress. If you fail to do so as directed, for whatever reason, the risk that I will not make it in time may be greatly increased.

Unexpectedly Rapid Progress or Emergency C-section. Labor generally follows a fairly predictable pattern of roughly one centimeter dilation per hour once you’re in active labor. But there are always outliers. Some labors are inexplicably long and slow to progress. Other times a woman can make incredibly rapid progress without any real indication that it’s happening. I’ve had a couple of moms go from 5 centimeters to ready to push from one vaginal check to the next, with no pain or physical signs of rapid progression. Additionally, if your baby goes into distress before my arrival, your practitioner may make the call to rush you to the OR for an emergency c-section.

MITIGATING RISK

I know, looking at all of the reasons a birth photographer might not be able to photograph your birth can make you wonder why anyone would take the financial risk of hiring one. In reality, the number of births missed altogether are small. It is important that you know how extremely passionate I am about attending births. There is pretty much nothing I would rather do and I will always make a Hurculean effort to be there for the birth each and every one of my mamas. It devastates me to even have to send a back up photographer. I never, ever, ever, want my mamas to walk away feeling disappointed, even in the situations I have zero control over. So here is how I go about mitigating the risks wherever I can.

Preparing YOU For Success. I meet with each of my mamas to go over their expectations and plan for birth, and discuss how their preferences might impact their final collection of images. Part of that communication is to explain (and stress) how and when you need to notify and update me. Spoiler Alert: It’s EARLY and OFTEN.

Planning Around On-Call. When I am on-call for a birth, my whole life revolves around ensuring I can drop everything and make it to that birth within the on-call window. That means I do not leave town, make plans, or any appointments that cannot be rescheduled last minute or covered by someone else. It means I am behind the scenes coordinating with my husband, parents, and babysitters so I know where my kids are going at any given time should you call me. It means I know I might miss family time, school plays, birthdays, etc and being ok with that..

Backup Photographers. My premium birth package includes a dedicated backup photographer. What this means is that when you book it, I coordinate a backup photographer to be on-call with me during your on-call period. I pay these photographers a stipend to ensure that they will stay in town and reschedule their own sessions and appointments in the event they are needed to cover for me. They are paid regardless of whether or not I actually need to call them in. But if you choose not to book that top package, unless otherwise noted, I will still make every effort to secure and send a backup photographer for any portion of your birth that I cannot attend.

Lower Cost Packages. If you just can’t wrap your head around spending thousands of dollars with the known risks looming. My Off-Call birth package might be just what you’re looking for. Basically, this package is a Fresh 48 AND a newborn session, but birth coverage can be substituted if I am available when you go into labor. This option saves you money either way and provides a lot of flexibility.

BUT WHAT IF YOU STILL DON’T MAKE IT IN TIME?

The first thing I need to say here is that once you have reserved birth photography services, your birth photographer is turning away other potential clients and opportunities that couldn’t be rescheduled to ensure she is available to attend your birth. As much as we LOVE what we do and feel a great responsibility to make sure our mamas get their money’s worth, we are still running a business and cannot usually offer a full refund if all of our efforts to mitigate the risk fail. It is up to you to consider all of the package options and decide if the risks are worth the likely reward. Here are some of the things your photographer may offer in response to your question ‘what happens if you don’t make it?’

To capture the hours after birth or apply your entire investment toward other services.

To apply your retainer toward another service and refund the remaining investment.

To provide a Fresh 48 or Newborn session (or both) and/or a refund of the difference.

The options are likely going to depend upon the scenario in which a birth is missed. Here are a few examples to give you a better idea either what I have done or would do:

Scenario 1: Client did not keep me sufficiently updated during labor/Refusal of medical staff to allow photography. In both of these cases, the client would be in breach of contract and no refund or compensation would be available. If it’s your lack of communication that causes me to not arrive on time for the birth or you have neglected to obtain permission for photography from your hospital or OB, I will capture as much as I can and stay to capture newborn moments, bonding with parents, siblings or other family meeting baby, and baby alone.

Scenario 2: Unexpectedly rapid progress/emergency C-section. Here is a scenario I have actually encountered. I had a mama stuck at 5 centimeters thru several vaginal checks. We all decided to settle in and try to get some sleep after her epidural was administered. An HOUR later I was awoken by a call from Dad saying they were ready to push. I leaped from my bed and hit the road immediately (I was dressed and the car was loaded). Five minutes later Dad called back to say the baby had pretty much just fallen out and the nurse almost didn’t even catch her, no doctor or other staff were present. As it turns out, no one even thought she was close to delivery. The nurse was going to leave without checking again, but mama ASKED to be checked just so she could update ME. That’s what I call making a solid effort to get me there. In a case like this, I would capture all that I can as soon as I arrived AND offer to come back the next day for a Fresh 48 or to do a newborn session at home to make up the difference. Mama’s choice.

Scenario 3: My Illness/Emergency. My first course of action is going to be to call a backup photographer. Even if you haven’t chosen the package that includes a dedicated backup, there are many photographers in the area that I would trust to step in and cover all or part of a birth in the event I knew in advance that could not make it. In fact, even if I don’t have a client in labor and I have an emergency or am sick during a time I am on call, I am already reaching out to see who is available and give a few backups a heads up that I may need them. However, if you haven’t chosen to spring for a dedicated backup and I can’t find someone to come in, you will receive either a Fresh 48 or a Newborn Lifestyle session. You may choose to apply the remainder of your investment to another session and/or prints OR to have it refunded.

Scenario 4: Act of God. This is the only scenario in which a client might be entitled to a full refund, depending upon the circumstances. In general, I would take my cue to suspend on-call from local school and business closures. If you were to deliver during a time that on-call has to be suspended, you would be entitled to a full refund. Though I hope you would still choose to apply some of the balance toward a Fresh 48 or newborn session. (SIDE NOTE: Here on the Gulf Coast we have hurricanes. For the duration of a declared state of emergency, non-essential personnel are not allowed in the hospital at all. I won’t be allowed to stay and I’ve been told that your spouse might not even be allowed to stay if driving conditions are still safe. If you are due during hurricane season, I encourage you to have an evacuation plan in place and not to hesitate to execute it.)

ABOVE ALL, THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IS TO REMEMBER THAT YOUR ARE HIRING A PASSIONATE PROFESSIONAL WHO CARES ABOUT YOU AND WOULD BE GENUINELY HEARTBROKEN TO HAVE TO MISS YOUR BIRTH FOR ANY REASON AT ALL.

As of the time I am writing this article, I have only missed 2 deliveries. The first was detailed in scenario 2 above. The second was the one and only time I have had to call in a backup photographer…for half an hour. I was there the rest of the labor and after. Lord willing, I will have a long a prolific career as a birth photographer and I have no idealistic notions that these will be the only two that I miss. But you can bet that I’m going to move heaven and earth to be there for each and every one of the families that put their trust in me to capture their most precious memories.

Are there questions, concerns, or other things that I have neglected to consider? Let me know below!

We are so fortunate here in Pensacola to have the area’s only Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) close at hand. No matter where you plan to deliver, if you go into labor prematurely, you will be sent to Sacred Heart to deliver so that NICU staff can be present to asses your infant and provide life sustaining and emergency care immediately and until your baby is strong enough to go home.

While it is incredible that we have this facility and technology available, being separated from your justborn baby is an enormous challenge, both physically and emotionally. And not just for you, but for your entire family. Visitors have to be 13 year of age, so if you have younger children, they may not even get to meet baby until he is discharged.

Premature babies need to be held, fed, and loved. The more of that they have the better for their recovery. As a recovering patient yourself (possibly with other children at home to care for), it can be difficult for you to meet all of those needs, NICU nurses do their fair share of holding and loving on their patients, but they can’t do it all and encourage you to send friends and family to provide comfort care.

Higher order births always carry a higher risk of premature delivery early and NICU time. Maverick + Leo here were born at 29 weeks and actually have a set of twin big brothers who were born at 28 weeks! Their mama was sick and unable to visit them in the NICU, so one day while I was at the hospital for some marketing, I took an hour to hang out and help their grandma (a long time family friend/second mom to me) love on them.

Of course, I also took my camera. Because I truly believe that even these hard and less than pretty moments are important to our story and worth capturing well. Take every opportunity mama. No matter how raw, how less than ideal. Babies change fast and you will want to remember everything, not just the perfect, happy times.

I loved getting to hang out with these boys and their grandma and was lucky enough to have another visitor offer to take my picture. Always such a treat for me.

Did you have or have you visited babies in the NICU? Tell me about your experience below.

Are you ready to witness an absolutely breathtaking and UNCENSORED birth…with VIDEO? Stephanie and Brandon have been kind enough to allow me to share Autumn’s birth at Crestview’s North Okaloosa Medical Center in its entirety.

This is the first birth I have agreed to take outside of Pensacola. I held back on taking births that require an hour or more drive while my kids are young. As the youngest started school this year, I’ve begun to branch out and I am loving these opportunities to experience different birth environments.

When I arrived NOMC blew my mind when they handed me a photo/video policy agreement stating that they allow delivery to be videoed! In my experience it is pretty uncommon that hospitals allow video from the time pushing starts and until baby is placed on mom’s chest. So while I did have my GoPro on me, I didn’t have my Gorilla Pod and had to hold the GoPro AND stabilize my camera in one hand while I used the other to maneuver my settings and depress the shutter button. All that to say, sorry for the wildly shaky video and clicking of the camera you can hear in the audio…what is that compared to hearing Brandon yelling out ‘IT’S A GIRL!’

This birth was just incredible and it was difficult to edit it down this far. Stephanie was so gorgeous, Brandon was wonderfully emotional, and Will kept us all laughing (as always). And you know I’m a sucker for the moment family floods in to meet the new baby. Here are a few of my most favorites:

OMG. This kid and the birth balls. I DIE!

Doula love! Jenny of Doula Do Right was a dream come true. She kept me updated all day and intuitively gave me space to work and time to photograph the family alone. She truly serves her clients from the heart. Not only taking care of physical needs, but elevating everyone else in the room so the client gets the very best from everyone on her birth team.

Endless hours of labor, but she got this yo.

Dr. Hamby’s reaction to baby being the girl everyone was hoping for…priceless!

Grandmas crying.

Baby yawns…

…so big brother yawns. I kid you not, it happened exactly like this.

Hanging around waiting for her vitals. I always stay to capture weight, measurements and footprints.

Brandon couldn’t take his eyes off her for a second. He held her the most and even did skin-to-skin.

Seriously…he’s wrapped. Completely enamored.

Several names were thrown around for this girl, none of them Autumn. Until someone mentioned that it was the ‘first day of Autumn’ on the calendar. And so it was agreed she would be named for the day of her birth.

After booking a session, the next question moms usually ask me is ‘what do we wear?’. I get that. It’s hard to make sure everyone looks good together without being too matchy-matchy and I’m always happy to offer wardrobe advice and/or critique outfit choices. Maternity sessions add an extra layer of difficulty because you have to consider how the bump will appear in photos too. It’s all to easy to choose something that doesn’t work as well as you thought it would. I thought I would use the Bannon family’s maternity session as an example as I share my tips for dressing yourself for a maternity session.

USE OF COLOR & TEXTURE

While preparing for her maternity session in Fort Walton Beach, Stephanie asked me if I thought it would be ok to wear white/off white on the beach. Would it blend into the sand too much? It may surprise you to know that it doesn’t. A monochromatic color palette actually works exceptionally well and is extremely flattering to skin tones. When working with monotones, it is a good idea to incorporate textures such as lace, knits, linen. Textures add another layer of visual interest to an image without competing or distracting from the subject. Stephanie chose a dress with a lace wrapped bodice that I think works perfectly.

FIT

When dressing the bump for photos, it is important to consider how your choice shows off your belly. I generally suggest something fitted around the whole belly so you aren’t having to hold loose fabric in to get a nice pregnant shape. It is also important to make sure you have boob/belly separation. Shirts or dresses that are so tight that the fabric stretches flat over the space between your breasts and bump, should be avoided.

The first outfit that Stephanie sent for review was an off the shoulder white top with a hi-lo hem (or at least it was hi-lo over a baby bump!) and a taupe skirt with excellent texture and a waist band that sat below the bump. Very boho and beachy. I loved the color, texture, and the fact that her bare belly poked out (the cutest!). BUT the skirt was unfortunately not designed for maternity wear and the ankle length hem hung much lower in the front than in the back. As much as I loved the outfit, I had to advise against it. But she was on the right track.

FABRIC

If you aren’t comfortable with a bare belly or form fitting outfit, that’s ok. Just be sure to choose the right fabric. Thick or stiff cotton dresses don’t do anything to show off the curves that are the whole reason behind this photo shoot. The dress Stephanie ultimately chose was this flowing, empire waisted gown made for maternity photography. It wasn’t fitted, but the empire wast provided perfect bust/bump separation and the fabric used on the more voluminous maternity gowns is slinky and skims the body as it moves. It is also light enough to billow beautifully in the wind. Such material is an important feature in a dress that isn’t fitted, as it facilitates belly definition, especially as the wearer is walking or sitting.

SPANX

If ever there were a time to wear body shaping undergarments, it’s with fitted dresses and fabrics prone to clinging to curves. Everything we just talked about. And guess what…Maternity Spanx are a thing! If you’d like a little help smoothing everything out, go for it. No one will know…unless you tell me…and I’ll admire your dedication to bump definition…especially if it’s August.

The key thing to remember here is that whatever you choose to wear for your maternity session should make it very apparent that you are pregnant. Without any extra work on your part. You should be able to move and sit in it and still look pregnant. If you have to stand a certain way, hold back fabric, or otherwise make an effort to define your belly, then it’s not a great choice.

I’m always here to help with suggestions, direction, and feedback should you need it.

My birth photography clients often ask if c-sections can be photographed. Whether you are planning a c-section delivery or not, it’s an important question. What happens with birth photography if you have to have a c-section? Will the photographer you’ve paid for be welcome into the operating room with you?

Unfortunately, that I something I cannot guarantee, it is totally up to your hospital, OB and (primarily) your anesthesiologist. What I CAN tell you is that it doesn’t really matter. However your birth story unfolds, there will always be a multitude of opportunities to capture the moments of intense emotion, connection and family that inherently surround birth. Any birth. Every birth. Those moments are what birth photography is all about.

I’ve only been allowed into the operating room once, for baby Kisley’s birth. Today I’m going to tell you that story. But first, grab a box of Kleenex and take a few minutes to watch the slideshow. This one is rated PG-13. Click play below.

Damn. What an incredible birth story, right?

Mama Kista is an awesome Pensacola photographer herself. She has also done several births and when she reached out to me for birth photography the day after announcing her pregnancy on social media, I actually cried. There is really just no greater compliment than to be hired by another professional photographer, especially one who’s work you admire.

Being familiar with birth work (and having herself been denied OR access), Kista knew going in that if she were faced with a c-section, I probably wouldn’t be allowed into the OR with her. Normally, only your spouse or primary support person is allowed in with you. It’s understandable. It limits liability and the risk of contaminating the sterile field. Both good and necessary things.

The day of her delivery, everything seemed to be going along just fine. Kista made progress at a steady pace, she and her husband Justin were perfectly adorable laboring together, and we were all set and ready to push bright an early on a Saturday morning. The timing was rather perfect as our mutual friend, fellow photographer, and kick ass labor & delivery nurse, Morgan, was just beginning her shift. She came in a little early even to make sure she didn’t miss it. Hi Morgan!

Hours into pushing, hard pushing with all of us (even me!) holding her feet and providing counter pressure, the doctor came in and decided baby Kisley just wasn’t going to come down on her own. We needed a c-section. Everyone’s heart sank at the news…until Morgan came back in to report that we’d received a sympathetic anesthesiologist who was going to allow me into the OR too!

It was nerve wracking being in there. I felt like a bull in a china shop. I was so extra careful to stay back, be respectful, only go where I was told to go and not to touch ANYTHING blue. Every bit of worry and extra care was worth it not to miss the beautiful moments Kista & Justin shared as they met their sweet baby girl.

The images are some of my most favorite to date and several of them now grace the walls just outside the doors to the OR at Scared Heart. (With any luck, they will help boost my credibility as a professional and help gain me future access to the OR. I’m not counting on it, but a girl can dream right?).

Thanks to Kista & Justin for allowing me to share their super special birth story. Thanks also to Morgan for always being a huge asset, sweet friend and (dare I say) co-worker at the hospital. And all of the other hard working doctors and nurses at Sacred Heart for taking care of my mamas and doing everything they can to accommodate me and give them the birth experience they hope for, even when the plan falls apart.

Birth work is the best work.

Here are some more of my personal favorites from Kisley’s birthday…

1. Contractions getting real…even with an epidural.

2. The dad lounge.

3. Justin waiting to while they prep Kista for surgery.

4. Watching a skilled practitioners at work.

5. Kisely making kissy faces the whole time!

6. That ‘we did it’ moment of relief.

7. Justin, totally enamored with his baby girl.

8. Still totally smitten

9. This series of Kista’s sister Tiffany meeting her niece for the first time…Hands down my favorite moment of the whole day.

If you skipped the slideshow, scroll back up and watch it. Seriously! There is far to much sweetness in there to miss.

A reputable and experienced birth photographer isn't cheap. The average cost of birth photography runs from $1500-$3500 depending on the level of services offered. In general, you should expect to pay as much as you would for a reputable and experienced wedding photographer in your area. Did your eyes just pop out of your head? How could it possibly cost THAT MUCH to come and snap a few pictures for an hour or so? Stick with me and let's unpack that.

BIRTH IS UNPREDICTABLE

It is impossible to time arrival so that your photographer is only there for the moment of delivery or just after. I, like most birth photographers, aim to arrive in your birth space near the transition phase of labor (approximately 6-7cm dilated). This gives us the most assurance that we will not miss the delivery, but that you are still far enough along in your labor that birth that we aren't hanging around thru periods of little activity or when you are trying to rest. Still, once your birth photographer arrives, there is no way for her to know if she is going to be there for 4 hours or 24 hours.

In general, labor progresses at a rate of about 1 cm per hour, but this isn't a hard, fast rule. Every woman is different, every baby is different and every labor is different. I've had mamas fly thru and go from 5cm to here's-your-baby in an hour. I've also had mamas push for 3 hours. Your birth photographer has to charge enough to account for the possibility that she may be working for 24 hours straight.

Pricing is usually fixed so that you don’t have to worry about additional costs if your labor stalls or takes much longer than expected.

THE WORK ISN’T DONE WHEN WE LEAVE THE BIRTH

The time we spend capturing your birth is only a small part of the process it takes to make your images great. Hospital lighting is pretty awful, and it takes quite a bit of time editing your images to turn them into the magical memories we deliver. We have fancy cameras capable of recording much better pictures than smart phones and the average camera marketed to consumers, but the real work is still done in post processing.

RUNNING A LEGITIMATE BUSINESS COSTS MONEY

Equipment maintenance, backup equipment, licensing fees, taxes...these are expenses that every small business incurs. Not to mention the expenses that come along with always being on-call: backup photographers, on-call childcare providers, etc. We have to make sure we are taking in enough to run a sustainable business, meet our commitments to clients, AND make a living.

Why should that matter to you? Because the last thing you want at 38 weeks pregnant is to get a refund and a ‘no-longer-in-business’ email from the person you were expecting to capture your birth, have your photographer fall ill or their only camera fail or break in the middle of your birth (with no backups), or (worse) to call when you go into labor and receive no answer at all.

It is important to protect your investment by hiring a photographer who is running a legal and sustainable business.

WE HAVE FAMILIES TOO

Yes, we birth photographers LOVE what we do so much that it rarely feels like work. Still, it's a job that requires sacrifice, mostly from the people who love us. We plan family time and vacations around the 3-4 weeks that we are on-call for our clients, miss holidays and other important events to attend births, and generally put you before our own families. Yes, we absolutely feel privileged to do the work we do, but ultimately this is our JOB. We do it to help support our families financially and we have to make an adequate wage to continue to offer the services we do.

The key thing to take away from this is that the old saying ‘you get what you pay for’ always rings true. Photographers who do not charge within that average range are likely not earning enough to account for their business costs and personal salary. They will eventually find themselves in situations where they are unable (or unmotivated) to keep the commitments they have made to clients and ultimately, go out of business altogether. I’ve seen it more times than I can count. You don’t want to be the client who’s ball gets dropped.

Keep reading for some tips on how to get the birth photographer of your dreams…

HOW TO MAKE IT WORK FINANCIALLY

If you desire birth photography, we really want to do everything we can to make sure you have it. Here are a few things you can do or ask about that can help soften the blow to your bank account.

1. Start saving BEFORE you are pregnant. If you know you'll want it, start putting funds aside for it NOW. It really doesn't take long to accumulate enough savings to make the expense so much more palatable when the time comes.

2. Reach out to your favorite photographer early. I promise, we won't think you're crazy for emailing us to say "I'm not actually pregnant yet but...". We'll happily send over all of our information, friend you on social media, and be waiting for the moment we get to celebrate with you over the pregnancy announcement.

3. Ask for a gift registry listing. You have friends a family out there that are going to want to shower you with gifts. Let them know how much birth photography means to you. I’m more than happy to set up a page where friends and family can directly contribute any amount they choose toward your birth photography package. Share it on social media, you never know who might feel inclined to bless you with a little something. Dollars add up!

4. Ask for a payment plan. Most birth photographers are moms too. We know how expensive preparing for a baby can be. We also know how much having pictures from your birth will mean to you when all is said and done. It is our greatest joy to be able to give a mama back the memories of the moments she missed or has forgotten about. We don’t want money to be the reason you miss this opportunity to begin building a history for your family and a legacy of love for your tiny little human.

5. Opt for a Fresh 48 instead. This birth space session is a truly fantastic alternative to actual birth coverage. It is a shorter session, (scheduled during business hours) within 48 hours of delivery. The investment for a Fresh 48 is significantly less than birth photography, but the resulting images can still feel very similar as we are able to capture many of the same moments and details of the birth space. In fact, all of the images in this post are from a Fresh 48.

Emily’s birth at Sacred Heart Hospital Pensacola, FL was another of those that chugged along slowly and then progressed super fast all of the sudden. I made it JUST in time to capture the birth. The nurses ushered me to the room saying, “Don’t worry, she hast started pushing yet.” Being the third baby, Amelia + Steve were total pros and there was an air of calm confidence in the room the whole time.

I hung out after to capture the big brothers Hunter + Jackson meeting their much hoped for little sister for the very first time.

Click play below to watch the photo film from Emily’s birth.

Courtesy Content Advisory: This film does contain moderately graphic birth images, but no nudity.

Continue scrolling to check out and read more about my favorite moments from this birth.

1. Support from a third time dad. Totally casual, because they both ‘got this’.

2. Amelia’s adorably joyful reaction to…getting peed on.

3. Hello birds! How excited was I to see my client sporting my branding?! Excited enough to take pictures focusing on it. Haha!

4. Daddy marveling over his DAUGHTER!

5. Clearly Emily is a chip off the old block.

6. This march across the promenade to meet the sister they’ve been waiting for.

7. This sweet nurse stopping in the hallway to give the boys their first glimpse.

8. Using so much hand sanitizer you have to rub it in up to your elbows.

9. Grandma love.

10. Jackson was not prepared for or happy about that piercing newborn cry.

11. Jackson’s impression of what newborn cries sound like…Raptors?

After I sent the photo film to Amelia for approval, she sent me back this picture of Jackson watching it:

I LOVE that these boys get grow up seeing, appreciating, and having better understanding birth because of this film. Birth photography is changing the mindset and the cultural taboos surrounding birth in our country. Can you just imagine how much more confident these kids will be going into the births of their own first babies? How much better prepared they will be to support their future partner during labor and after? Now, when their minds are open and curious, is the time to show them that birth is beautiful, not something to be afraid of or grossed out by.

I’m so proud to be a part of changing the childbirth landscape for this next generation of moms and dads.

Have you shared your birth with your kids? What was their reaction? Tell me in the comments below…

Maybe that seems like a bit of a disconnect from my usual documentary/lifestyle approach, but for me it feels like a very natural extension to the work that I love. It’s all about breaking the mold of the traditional stiff, boring, awkward (and generally just awful) school portraits to provide parents with yearly pictures they might actually want to hang on the wall.

It’s about giving kids an opportunity to be themselves in front of the camera. To stand, to move, to smile, to laugh, to be serious. To be REAL. With permission to have fun with it, they so naturally offer up a wide range of genuine expressions.

OR! You can act on your own and bring your kids to my next Fine Art School Portrait open house. This is a free portrait event that I will hold at the beginning of each school year. (All ages are welcome…yes, even infants.)

Sign up with your email address to receive notice when the next Fine Art School Portrait open house is scheduled.

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Thank you!

Check out some of the cuties that visited me at this year’s open house and leave a comment to let me know what you think!

I just ran into baby JD and mama Alison at a coffee shop a week or so ago, which reminded me that I had not yet shared their sweet newborn session. I can't believe how big JD has gotten! It feels like this session just happened. Alison & Bill were super low key. They almost skipped newborn photos all together assuming they would end up being too fussy, overly posed, and not really represent them as a family.

If you know anything about me, you know my passion for documenting families just as they are. My sessions are laid back, pressure-free, and simply aim to capture the real stuff in a beautiful way. We were pretty much perfect for each other.

Alison has been kind enough to share her birth story with us, so I'll let her take it from here...

My due date came and went, and I was about as uncomfortable (and subsequently grumpy) as any woman at 40 weeks pregnant. My doctor suggested we schedule an induction. I was disappointed that things weren't naturally progressing fast enough, but ready to do what needed to be done to stop being pregnant and to meet the mystery kid that I'd been carrying around for nine months. We set a date, and I spent the next few days finishing a book, eating at my favorite restaurants, and worrying about little things––you know, like giving birth and being a mom.

The day of the induction, I was scared. Unsure of what to do with myself, I cleaned my already clean apartment and made a last minute appointment on a whim to have my haircut. We went to the hospital for 9PM and after everything was set up, I was expected to try and sleep while the pitocin went to work. The baby's heart rate kept dropping slightly, so the nurses were in an out to make adjustments to my position. Around 2AM, I finally started to drift to sleep when I heard screaming from across the hall. My husband Bill sat up on the couch where he'd been resting and our eyes met. "Is that...?" he asked. "I think so," I groaned. It was another woman in labor, and while the intense sounds increased my anxiety, we both couldn't help but laugh. From that moment on, sleep was out of the question.

Labor progressed slowly, and there were multiple cervix checks. By 10AM I was fully dilated. The nurse had me do a practice push, and she didn't exactly say so but I can only assume it wasn't promising, because she announced that I needed to "labor down," or in other words, stay put and let my body do it's thing for an hour or so. Well, my body certainly did it's thing––I almost instantly started shaking and crying. In retrospect, I'm not totally sure why I was so afraid of what was ahead. I wish I would have been more positive and confident, but that's just not how it was for me. I knew everything was about to change in a major way, and even as a Marine Corps wife with frequent changes ahead, this one felt like too much was on the line. Bill did his best to keep me calm, but I needed more of a distraction. I asked him to get the book I'd brought along––an old favorite, Nine Stories by JD Salinger––and I started reading. I continued shaking, and crying too, but I kept reading, and that helped. Toward the end of the hour, I asked Bill to bring our notebook over––the one we keep by our bed at home to write down funny inside jokes that come up late at night and other nonsense we'd otherwise forget in a day or two. It also contained our lists of baby names, about 10 in each category. Thinking of my Salinger book, I turned to the boy list and added "Joseph Daniel (JD)."

The nurses returned and the book was put away. I pushed for just over an hour. I cursed myself for not sticking with those Pure Barre classes––could have used the prep for the labor workout! But finally, the baby emerged and there was so much relief all at once. My worries about motherhood and change were put to rest for awhile as I held my son against my chest. Bill took the notebook and reviewed the list of names we'd been discussing for months, and spotted the new addition he hadn't seen before. He said, "I like JD. That's the one."

If you're wondering about these last shots here, Alison has a family member (great uncle maybe, but I'm not sure I am remembering that detail correctly) who ran for state senate. I love that she found and framed this old campaign sign. Such a cool piece of her family legacy. I had to capture it.

Do you have any cool mementos or pieces of your family history that serve as home decor? Tell us about it in the comments.

Natalie is a lifestyle family photographer serving Pensacola, FL and surrounding areas. With a passion for capturing candid family moments, she specializes in birth and newborn lifestyle photography. Natalie lives in Pensacola with her husband and two (very difficult to photograph) children. Besides photography, she has a passion for modern sewing projects and graphic design.

The final installment of Auden's first moments on earth...her newborn lifestyle session. This was such a sweet little session in a shared sister's room.

I absolutely love how Lauren chose to dress everyone simply and in white. Her wardrobe choices made it easy to incorporate the plethora of fun swaddle blankets and headbands in Lauren's arsenal. Can you every really have enough printed muslin swaddle blankets? (If you aren't sure, that's a no.)

Family snuggles on big sister Breelynn's bed gave way to an impromptu tea party (complete with donuts). Breelynn only pretended to feed Auden donuts and tea, but it cracks me up how it looks like she's actually partaking.

Strawberries, flamingos, and one last Little Unicorn gem...popsicles. And a fresh assortment of goodies from Breelynn's kitchen.

Do you have a favorite Little Unicorn or other muslin swaddle blanket print? Let me know in the comments so I can add it to my stash.

Is it any wonder that the idea of hiring a birth photographer is soaring in popularity? The day you usher a baby earth side is the day you and your partner are truly and physically bound together for eternity. It is the day your family life begins and your legacy is built. In one instant you go from being two independent beings to a unit, wholly responsible for another life. Sure, your wedding day was (or will be) unforgettably beautiful, but your child's birthday is a whole new level of magical. A day that, no matter how imperfect it was or what else happens in this life, will always remain among your most treasured memories.

Maybe you're still on fence about inviting a virtual stranger in to such an intimate and private moment. Maybe your spouse or partner is against the idea or the cost. Maybe you feel the pictures you will all take on your smart phones will be good enough. Pictures are pictures right? Wrong.

I've been photographing births in Pensacola and the greater Gulf Coast area for the majority of my career as a photographer and there are a few things that my families tell me (over and over again) made hiring a birth photographer 1000% worth it. I'd like to share the top six reasons my moms have given for deciding to hire a birth photographer.

FOR THE WHOLE STORY

When my first baby was born I, like all first time moms, had no idea what to expect. I remember being astounded by just how intense and busy birth is. So many things happen simultaneously in a well orchestrated flurry of doctors and nurses. It is mentally (not to mention physically) exhausting and impossible to take in all of the details, even in the best and easiest of labors. To say nothing of the more complicated cases that take your baby completely out of your sight for minutes, hours, even days at a time.

As your birth photographer I can go where you can't go and see what you can't see. I am constantly looking to capture the important elements of the birth environment and emotional moments between you and your family that tell a complete story of your birth experience. Your spouse, partner, doulas and nurses have their hands full, and picture taking tends to take a backseat to making sure you have what you need, when you need it. Not to mention how hard it is to capture you and your partner working together as a team to bring this baby into the world, if one of you if holding the camera. When you let go, immerse yourselves in the experience, and leave the documenting to me, I am able to capture a progression of images that completely narrates your baby's WHOLE birth story. Everything you remember, everything you don't, and everything you didn't get to see.

FOR YOUR PARTNER

Birth can be an emotional roller coaster for BOTH parents. Having a birth photographer gives you both the freedom to focus on and enjoy the ride. Without a dedicated birth photographer, the job of documenting has most often fallen to the non-laboring parent. This is just so unfair to both parents. Dad doesn't get to be in the pictures because he's taking them all. He doesn't get to be fully present in the moment because he's seeing it all thru a lens. And mom doesn't get the full support of her partner when she needs it the most. Let him support you, hold his baby, and enjoy greeting guests without worrying about documenting it. Bonus, you also don't have to worry that he isn't taking enough pictures.

FOR YOU!

GIRL! I get it. You feel fat, swollen and very likely the least beautiful you have in your whole life...and even the skinniest of mamas falls victim to the dreaded triple chins when looking down to marvel at the baby that was placed on her chest. While I do my fair share of snapping whatever happens as it happens, I am also actively looking for angles that flatter you. I fix your hair when the bedhead starts to creep in, adjust your clothing when it gets weird and twisted, and yes, help you reposition to get rid of a chin or two. When no one else is thinking about it, I'm doing my best to ensure that you look your best and to capture images of you that you will feel good about.

FOR SUPERIOR QUALITY IMAGES

iPhones and point and shoot cameras are great for capturing the basics. But let's face it, the quality doesn't compare to what a pro can do. Birth is hands down one of the most difficult lighting situations to photograph in. Low light, harsh light, oddly colored light...almost never is the light ideal or even just 'good'. As an experienced pro I have the equipment and technical expertise necessary to ensure beautiful images regardless.

FOR HEALING

Birth doesn't usually go as planned. Not getting the birth or postpartum experience you hoped for can wreak havoc on your emotions and even leave a profound sense of disappointment or failure. Maybe it seems irrational to have a healthy baby and still harbor negative feelings about the birth, but listen...hormones. Being able to relive those moments thru your birth images can go a long way toward helping you to process any negative emotions surrounding the experience. The intense love, joy and connection you'll see in them might even change your perspective entirely.

FOR...EVER

Besides the new baby you got to take home with you, getting your birth photos back is the BEST thing! The reality of life with a newborn is setting in and sleep deprivation is getting real. Scrolling thru those birth photos takes you right back to that oxytocin high. Every single parent I've worked for has come back to me (usually in a puddle of happy tears) to say "we are so incredibly glad you were with us, we can't imagine not having these, and it was worth EVERY PENNY!" (That includes the dads who weren't keen on the idea of a birth photographer to begin with.)

But perhaps most importantly, photographs are our windows into the past. Our memories might fade with time and age (and babies change SO FAST), but pictures tell the stories exactly how we want remember them. Pictures allow us to share those memories with others. They help our children to know us as the people we were before we were their parents. To know who they themselves were before the times they can remember. Photos connect us to our family by allowing us to see the physical attributes we have in common. They give us a sense of who we might become. They show us how much we have been loved...right from that very first breath.

Now I'd love to hear your thoughts. Comment and tell me:

1) What is or was your number one reason for hiring a birth photographer?2) If you didn't hire a birth photographer, why not? Do you regret it? 3) If you are on the fence about hiring a birth photographer, what's holding you back?

After Auden's crazy, whirlwind birth and immediate separation from mommy in the NICU, I couldn't NOT come back for a Fresh 48.

As soon as baby Auden was given her NICU walking papers, we made plans for me to return to the hospital for a quick Freshie. Lauren just couldn't catch a break and was now battling a fever! (Not that's you'd know it, she is still ridiculously gorgeous, but I'm sure it sucked to not feel well.

Postpartum hospital stays being limited, we couldn't exactly postpone the session. Luckily, we had big sister Breelynn to carry the show. She was such a star, sweetly loving on and helping David with her new little sister.

What was your postpartum recovery like? Did you have other little ones to help out with baby? Did you have any complications? Share your own stories in the comments.

A very real concern when hiring a birth photographer is, what happens if the photographer doesn't make it in time for the birth? No matter how diligent you are at keeping us updated, how well prepared we are or how many fail safes we have in place, the risk of not making it can't be completely eliminated. Auden's birth at Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola, FL is an excellent example of what happens when everything goes as far from 'expected' as possible.

Lauren called me about 7:30 PM to let me know her water had broken and they were on their way to the hospital. I readied myself to go to, but the first check revealed she was only 3cm dilated. At that point, we all figured we'd have a while yet. I packed my gear in the car and went to bed in my scrubs to get as much sleep as I could.

The next update came at 11:23 PM. Only 4-5cm dilated. A meager 1(ish) cm in 3 hours is slow progress, and we all settled back in to continue resting up.

Now here is where things get crazy.

A little after 1 AM, the nurse was in to check on Lauren. As she was comfortable, and progress had been slow, the nurse was going to leave without checking for further dilation. Having an epidural can make it really hard to gauge the progression of labor without checking the cervix, so Lauren (very wisely) stopped her and asked to be checked, just so she could give me another update. To everyone's shock, Lauren was COMPLETE and ready to have a baby! David called me immediately and I jumped up and FLEW out the door.

Even so close to delivery, there are lots of things to be done before the pushing starts. The doctor has to be called in, the nurse breaks down the bed for delivery, and pushing usually takes some time. David told me that the nurse was pretty confident that I would still make it in time to capture delivery. But literally FIVE minutes later, while en route to the hospital, I got a text from David saying that the baby was out!

There was no breaking down the bed, no time for the doctor, no pushing. Baby Auden just slipped into the world without warning. The nurse barely had time to catch her.

Ok. That's disappointing but fine. My clients are prepared for the reality that, despite everyone doing everything right, coverage the actual birth could still be missed. In normal circumstances, there is still SO MUCH great stuff to capture in the hours after delivery that you really don't miss not having 'that shot' (that you probably aren't going to share with anyone anyway). Plus, you get a newborn session to make up for it.

Under normal circumstances.

Unfortunately, sometimes babies that come out quick don't get the time in the pressure of the birth canal that they need to help prepare their lungs to breathe air. Remember, they have spent the last 40ish weeks in an aqueous environment. Passing thru the birth canal is what helps to force that liquid out of their lungs so they are ready to breathe.

For this reason, Auden needed special attention from the respiratory therapist and neonatal intensive care team. The team spent a good half hour beating on her chest and suctioning her out, but couldn't get her numbers to come up to where they needed them to be. Lauren only had a few minutes to snuggle her before she had to say goodbye and watch her baby be wheeled away to the NICU.

David and I followed Auden to the NICU where I was able to capture some vitals. From there, we hung out in Lauren's delivery suite waiting for Lauren to get the OK to go and visit her baby in the NICU. My heart absolutely broke for her when it was decided she wasn't in any shape to be out of bed and couldn't go see her baby yet. As painful as I know it was to be without her baby, Lauren handled it with such grace. While she settled into her recovery room, David and I went back to the NICU for more pictures.

Because I have been in a similar situation to Lauren's, I know that a birth experience like this leaves an emptiness in you. Four years later I still have a sense of loss over not getting to spend every moment of those first hours with my son. I know that part of the beauty of birth photography is that it gives you back the pieces of the day that you've missed and helps to heal the hole left by a less than ideal birth or postpartum experience. I love that I got to be Lauren's eyes and give her back some of the precious time she lost. The important thing is that this is Auden's authentic birth story. A wonderful story that, despite its imperfections, was 100% worth capturing.

Did you think that was it? NOT HARDLY! Even with my obligation fulfilled, I couldn't stand that Lauren had gotten such a raw deal. I didn't feel like a newborn session was going to be enough to make up for a birth experience nobody would be happy about. I told Lauren I'd be back for a Fresh 48 as soon as Auden was released from the NICU. That's up next, so stay tuned!

As birth photography rapidly grows in popularity, many budding (and seasoned) photographers have a desire to throw their hat in the ring and offer this service to expecting mothers. I get it! Birth is exciting and having the opportunity to capture one is a special honor. When I first looked into birth photography for myself, and even when I started photographing births, I had not heard of anyone in Pensacola, Florida or the greater Gulf Coast area offering birth coverage. Now it seems that it is a genre that MANY new photographer want to break into. Particularly if they are already photographing maternity or newborns.

So how can you, as an expectant mother, ensure you are hiring the right person for the job? It's important that you protect yourself by investing in a the services of a professional who has experience in birth work, availability to be on call, and can consistently produce quality images in poor lighting conditions. Here are a few questions to ask as you are considering hiring a birth photographer to capture those once in a lifetime moments.

Does the photographer have a portfolio?

Every professional photographer should have a portfolio of work they can share with you. Honestly, you should be able to find it easily on their website. But don't stop there. A portfolio is a collection of the BEST work and may not be a true representation of a photographer's over all abilities. Ask to see an an entire birth gallery or a slideshow of a single birth so that you can see how the entire process is captured. If you are considering a photographer that has not photographed a birth, at the very least you should evaluate a session shot indoors, such as a newborn lifestyle session.

Are the images clear, in focus and consistent in style?

Can you see detail in each photo? Are the images crisp and clear? Are they too bright (overexposed) or too dark (underexposed)? Are the skin tones, color and editing style consistent across the whole gallery for a single session? If the images are blurry, not properly exposed, or don't have a consistent style, the photographer is probably not experienced enough to take on a birth. Just because a photographer can produce good portraits in daylight, does not mean she can turn out quality photos in a birth. Most births take place in low light. Even in the daytime, laboring mothers tend to like the light dim. Given these conditions, and the fast paced nature of birth, it is crucial that a photographer know how to maneuver their camera settings quickly to capture clear images.

Does the photographer use pro equipment?

An entry level DSLR camera (or worse, a point-and-shoot' or iPhone) is not capable of producing professional quality images in the vast majority of birth spaces. A professional birth photographer will have a variety of professional equipment capable of handling any lighting situation - home, hospital, birthing center, etc. Your photographer should have at least two camera bodies in their kit (a main camera, plus a back-up in case of camera failure), multiple lenses, memory cards, batteries, and at least one flash that attaches to the camera. The pop-up flash integrated into the camera should NEVER be used in birth photography...or really at all by any professional.

Is the photographer available 24/7 in the weeks surrounding your due date?

If you are expecting a photographer to attend your birth, you need to be certain that they are available to be on-call for you in the weeks surrounding your due date. Even with a scheduled cesarean, a mom can go into spontaneous labor earlier than expected and surgeries can be postponed. Most professional photographers offer an on-call period of two weeks before your expected due date and 1-2 weeks after. This means she is available to come in around the clock (usually when you are around 6cm dilated) and stay for the duration. Middle of the night, holiday, the day of her kid's dance recital, everyday, every minute. Here's a big one...don't ask your wedding photographer to take on your birth. They may be an amazing photographer and truly want to meet all of your family's photography needs, however it is a conflict of interest. Their bread and butter is weddings and the wedding they are contracted to attend will always take precedence over your birth.

Does the photographer have a reliable back-up?

Let's face it. Shit happens. Illnesses, accidents, and emergencies are an unavoidable part of life. Not an single person on this earth can 100% guarantee their presence at your birth. Not your doctor, not even your spouse! Nor should you want anyone to in your birth space if they are sick. A professional birth photographer will have a back-up plan in place for you. They will have at least one backup photographer to attend you if needed (preferably a whole network of people to call on). Their backups will also be professionals with birth experience, who will conduct themselves appropriately in the birth space and deliver images very similar to the style you're expecting.

Is the photographer familiar with birth and respectful of the rules and process?

Birth photography isn't just about getting 'that shot'. It's about documenting the whole of your experience as you labor, deliver, and bond with your baby. This is YOUR birth and your birth photographer should be a supportive member of your birth team. You should feel confident that she will respond to your cues, be respectful of your birth space and plan, stay out of the way of medical personnel. Read reviews or ask for a reference from one of her previous clients. You should hear something like 'I didn't even know she was there' or 'she was very supportive of my needs'. It is important that a birth photographer be knowledgable about the process of birth, and the rules of the hospital or birth center as well.

What is the photographer's personality?

If you are planning an unmedicated hospital birth or home birth, it is especially important for your photographer to be invested in protecting the sanctity of your birth environment. She should possess a calming presence and positive energy. Even if your plan is to have an epidural at the hospital, your birth photographer should not be perceived as anxious, stressed, or overbearing. I realize this can be hard to determine over written communication or even in a face-to-face consultation, but it is something to evaluate.

Will the photographer respect your privacy?

Birth is an intimate event and the choice to share your images should be completely up to you. Many women interested in birth photography are naturally open to sharing images from their birth with the world. Some aren't and that is totally ok. Photographers who are just starting out in birth may offer special 'portfolio building' deals. Be aware that you are agreeing to allow the photographer to share your images by accepting these deals. Read all contracts and separate model releases carefully so that you know exactly what you are agreeing to.

Is the photographer running a legal business?

A professional photographer will have a business license, pay taxes, and have insurance for their equipment, business, and liability. Why should you care about that? You want the person you hire to capture your baby's birth to be a true professional who delivers everything as promised. Hiring a legit business owner protects you and ensures you receive what you've paid for. There are so many stories of photographers who took a client's money, went out of business and were never heard from again or who photographed an event and never delivered the images. Additionally, supporting small businesses that are conducting themselves legally is just the right thing to do. Owning a business is not easy or cheap. Especially when that business takes them away from their family and other clients at a moment's notice and for hours on end. Supporting a law abiding business is truly what's best for everyone.

What does the photographer charge for her services?

Having a baby costs a lot of money! You may be tempted to choose a birth photographer with cheaper prices, but BEWARE! Inexpensive photographers tend to be less experienced, use equipment that isn't up for the technical demands of birth work, and may not be running a legitimate business. If you are using the justification that SOME pictures are better than NO pictures, you may want to consider asking a family friend to come and take photos for you rather than hiring an inferior or unlicensed photographer. Keep in mind that a birth photographer has to be on call for you 24/7 for 3-4 weeks straight. She has to maintain a lifestyle that will allow her to leave her family at the drop of a hat for an indeterminable length of time. It takes THOUSANDS of dollars of equipment and hundreds of dollars annually in licensing, insurance fees and countless other business expenses to run a business. Anyone who is not accounting for those expenses and charging appropriately to cover them, is probably not a professional and definitely isn't running a sustainable business. Photographers specializing in birth photography often offer payment plans and gift registries to help manage costs.

Birth photography is a luxury service. As with any such luxury, the value is in the quality of the product and the reliability, competence, and experience of the provider. Make sure you are protecting your investment by hiring a legitimate and experienced professional.

As mothers, we wear many hats: charge nurse, head chef, housekeeper, chief financial officer, manager, chauffeur...the list is endless. We're the keepers of everything and the historians of our families. I've found that having tools and systems in place to help keep me stay organized is key for managing my family (and business) life and memories, without loosing my mind. Not that things don't fall apart on me now and again, they do...usually when I slack on my planning and organizing.

What I want to talk to you about today is my favorite tool for organizing family photos. It's actually my favorite editing software suite, which I use primarily for my photography business, but I have found it to be a powerful tool for organizing my family photos too (phone photos included!). It's Adobe Lightroom Creative Cloud (or CC).

Lightroom is a software program that photographers have been using for years to catalogue and edit their images. We're not going to get into the editing side here. Instead, we're going to focus on the cataloging features and how you, as a mom, can harness the power of this feature to make it easy to find the photos you're looking for, sort your keepers from your rejects, and compile selections for albums/printing/sharing, AND easily get photos from you phone onto your computer. Sound amazing? It is! And there is so must more to learn than I am about to show you.

Want to learn in all? Get on the waiting list for the next Mom Workshop:CLICK HERE

Now, If you've looked into getting Lightroom, you're probably pretty confused about all of the options. I'm going to help you understand them all and show you how to make the organization features of both Lightroom CC, Lightroom CC Mobile, and Lightroom Classic CC work for you. (Whether you are taking photos with a fancy camera, GoPro, or just your iPhone.) We'll cover all three over a couple of different posts.

The first piece of the suite I want to cover is Adobe Lightroom Classic CC. This is the desktop version of Lightroom, the most functional piece of the suite and my workhorse program. It is what I recommend you start with if you are shooting images on a DSLR or any dedicated camera - meaning you have to take the SD card out and stick it in your computer to transfer the images. Let's dive in...

THE LIBRARY MODULE

Lightroom is composed of several modules that allow you to do different things with your images. We'll only be unpacking the Library module where you can import, view, filter, and organize a lifetime's worth of photos. I'm going to take you thru some of the most useful features. I've created (somewhat rambling and oft interrupted by children) videos walking you thru the features and how you can use them.

Set up and Importing

The first the you need to do to get started is to set up your catalogue and import some photos. This is easier shown than verbally explained, so just watch the video walkthrough.

Viewing

The Library module offers several view modes that let you see your photos in different sizes and compare them.

1) Grid: The grid view displays your photos as thumbnails and gives you an overview of the entire catalogue or specific groups of photos. You can also rotate, sort, organize, and manage images or several images at once.

2) Loupe: The loupe view displays a single photo. Here you can zoom in and out. From the grid view, you can double click a photo to see it in loupe view.

3) Compare: The compare view allows you to display 2 photos side by side. This is helpful when deciding which photo(s) of a series to keep.

4) Survey: The survey view is like the compare view, but for more than 2 photos. It allows select and view a small group of images and take action on them.

5) People: The people view uses Lightroom's face recognition feature to allow you to tag the people in your photos and search for those people later. As you add names it will suggest names for you to tag. This is brilliant.

Selecting Photos

The left panel in the Library module displays all of the folders of images you have imported. These are mirrors of the folders you have your images stored in on your hard drive. You can use this panel to navigate your folders and easily view certain collections. You can also move images from one folder to another.

Clicking on any image in your photo grid or on the film strip below, makes it an active photo. You can select multiple images by clicking them while holding down the Ctrl key (PC) or Command key (Mac). From here you can set images as keepers or rejects and further label preferred images with star ratings or colors.

Finding and Filtering Photos

When you have hundreds or thousands of images, locating the image your looking for might not be as easy as selecting a folder. This is where the Library Filter bar at the top of the Grid view comes in handy. The filter bar allows you to find photos by various times of metadata: keywords, rating, color label, and more.

Photo Collections (THE BEST PART!)

Collections are another way to organize photos in Lightroom. They allow you to group photos from anywhere in your catalog in one place for east viewing or performing different tasks. Photos in a collection can be reordered, assembled into a slideshow or used to create a photobook. Additionally, creating and utilizing collections in Lightroom Classic CC is the foundation for syncing images between Lightroom CC and Lightroom CC Mobile.

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Lightroom is a subscription based service. It's $9.99 per month and you can pay that monthly or yearly. Considering how easy it makes backing up and syncing images, attributes, and edits from your phone to your computer and back again, I think it's worth every penny. Especially if you're serious about printing your images or making yearly photobooks of your family photos. There is a 30-day trial available, but only for Lightroom CC (which I will show you next time). Lightroom CC has the same features and functionality of Lightroom Classic CC, but it is cloud based and has a very different looking user interface.

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Settle in for a story. This will be a lengthy one, but so good! Three years ago, after taking a year and a half off from photography to carry my son thru a difficult pregnancy and soak up all of that newborn time, I decided I wanted to start taking births again. Now, birth photography isn't something you can just jump right into and expect to book clients. You have to build that know/like/trust factor before mamas feel comfortable inviting you into their birth space...and forking over beaucoup bucks for your services. In order to build a solid reputation and a portfolio, I put out a model call. That's where I first heard from Catherine. She was pregnant with her third baby, Ryan and excited for the opportunity to have her birth photographed. When the time came we communicated thru her labor, but things weren't going well. Ultimately she told me not to come. Her experience so stressful, she didn't even want a Fresh 48.

Catherine is an L&D nurse at Baptist. For years I kept hoping I would run into her, but fortune primarily brought me mama's delivering at Sacred Heart. Then one day my son and I were out for a walk and we spotted a little boy about his age that had recently move into the neighborhood. We knocked on the door to say hi and maybe make a new friend. And who should answer but Catherine! And that little boy was the baby who's birth I was supposed to photograph. Small world right? (And I did eventually get to work with her in the delivery room. If you look closely, you might spot her and her baby bump in Kathryn's birth story.)

When I saw on Facebook she and Chad were expecting again, I crossed my fingers that she would reach out about birth photography...and she did! I was so excited for another opportunity...and to have an NZP baby just around the corner to love on whenever I want.

Here is the birth story in mama's own words, and a video slideshow of Rowyn's birthday:

Rowyn's birth could have very well been my last. We didn't want to find out the sex until he was born so there was a lot of anticipation and excitement. I was also hoping for and planning for a VBAC so there was a lot of excitement. But we planned and prepared for months. Chad and I took Bradley Childbirth classes with my amazing friend/coworker/doula Erin. For us, her classes were a time to learn how to remain calm and focused and in the moment, but they were also like a date night every Tuesday since it was just the hubs and I. I highly recommend Bradley classes with your support person.

When approved by my midwife, Jenny, we tried everything we could to give labor a kickstart including red raspberry leaf tea, primrose oil, accupuncture, we walked miles and I hiked my butt up and down hills and lots of stairs. I had my membranes stripped 3 times...and still nothing. My husband even tried driving me around in the old truck for a bumpy ride as a last ditch effort. The time came that we had to have some medical interventions, due to my risk factors, if I wanted to try VBAC. Medically, plans had to change last minute and I had to deliver at Sacred Heart without my midwife instead of at Baptist where I knew my work family would care so well for me. It took several conversations from very dear friends whom I love and love me to convince me that things would go just perfect, even at Sacred Heart.

Things did go just perfect. The staff was supportive of my decisions about my birth plan. My girl friends encouraged me all day, rubbed my feet and my back, and convinced me that I was able to do this. They supported my husband and I and made it such a special time for us.

My fears of complications leading to a csection started creeping into my mind when, with every contraction, I had intense pain from my previous csection scar. Dr. Andrews was so very patient with me and came to my bedside repeatedly when I asked for him because I was convinced my uterus was not resting and we were about to have an emergency. I was so scared and Dr. Andrews stood by my side, hands on my belly checking and rechecking to make sure my fears were not coming true. He was so patient and so kind. I'll never forgot his reassuring smile, even though he was probably thinking I was a little crazy!

If you know Dr. Andrews, you know he likes to crack jokes and sing. In his true comedic fashion, he wore the midwifery hat as he came to my bedside repeatedly, told jokes right through my contractions (that distracted me at least for a moment), and he came in for delivery with his booties, singing 'Shake your booties'. My midwife even came to support me through delivery, which meant so much to me. She coached me through pushing just like my mom would have if she had been there. There wasn't much coaching to do though because our sweet baby arrived in just a few pushes. I listened to my midwife whisper in my ear what to do, listened to my girlfriend and nurses cheer me on, and watched my husband as our son was born. Watching Natalie's slides of our Rowyn's birth makes me cry so many happy tears. I am so grateful to have these pictures to remember all the little things you forget. So for our next baby I will do the same, call on my neighbor, my friend, and now my photographer, Natalie.

COURTESY CONTENT ADVISORY: With Catherine's permission, this slideshow includes uncensored images of childbirth. If you prefer not to see these, stop here.

While I will never ask you to share uncensored images from your own birth, I love that Catherine offered to do so in the spirit of educating women and future mothers. Birth in our culture has become taboo to the point that most women have not a single clue what to expect. Instead of something to be celebrated, birth is overwhelmingly viewed as something scary and gross...a necessary evil and means to an end (or worse, a reason to perhaps avoid having children all together). So thanks Catherine, for your bravery in sharing your birth in it's entirety, so that others might be empowered to embrace and cherish their experience. And for showing us that, even after a nightmare birth experience, every birth is a new opportunity to be joyful and hopeful that everything will be wonderful.

Take a moment to celebrate with Catherine in the comments. Once 50 people have commented on the blog post, she & Chad will receive an 8x10 mounted print from their birth story.

Natalie is a lifestyle family photographer serving Pensacola, FL and surrounding areas. With a passion for capturing candid family moments, she specializes in birth and newborn lifestyle photography. Natalie lives in Pensacola with her husband and two (very difficult to photograph) children. Besides photography, she has a passion for modern sewing projects and graphic design.

Erika Smith is the boss lady and fabulous wedding & senior photographer behind Indie Pearl Photography...and one of my back-up birth photographers. She's crazy talented and one of the most sweet and fun ladies I know. I've been privileged to get to know her (and so many other amazing creative entrepreneurs) thru The Rising Tide Society and our local Tuesday's Together chapter. Any time another amazing photographer asks me to photograph their family, I pretty much squeal with excitement and think 'You want me? You're so talented and you're choosing ME?!?!'. I imagine it's like being a contestant on The Voice and getting all four chairs to turn for you.

Anyway her family is just the cutest and we had a great time exploring downtown Pensacola, hitting the hot spots, and grabbing food here and there. Take a moment to scroll thru our adventures...

First stop Brew Ha Ha, downtown Pensacola. The Pensacola Postcard mural has been a hotspot for photography and snapshots alike. With Brew Ha Ha set to open in just a couple of weeks, I knew I'd better get out there and use it before there were always cars parked in the way. It's open now, and there are always cars in the way.

Our next stop was Dolce & Gelato for a frozen treat. Dolce boasts some amazing gelato flavors that are handmade and fresh every day.

Then after dessert we headed back over to 12th avenue for dinner at Tacos Mexicanos. That's right, dessert happened first.

Don't you just love how close and snuggly they are? I really hope that my kids have this much personality and love each other (and us) as much as Erika & Tim's kids do. They seem to genuinely enjoy being together as a family. Really, they seem more like a group of best friends and were affectionate with each other without me even having to ask. They even shared their ice cream without reservation! I'm sure Erika will probably scoff a little reading this. After all, she sees them every day and at their worst. But let me tell you, from the outside they are picture perfect and a complete joy to work with.

Natalie is a lifestyle family photographer serving Pensacola, FL and surrounding areas. With a passion for capturing candid family moments, she specializes in birth and newborn lifestyle photography. Natalie lives in Pensacola with her husband and two (very difficult to photograph) children. Besides photography, she has a passion for modern sewing projects and graphic design.